Satisfy your cravings for a delicious and refreshing High Protein Strawberry Banana Smoothie in just 5 minutes without using protein powders or supplements. Perfect for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack, it packs 13 grams of protein into a delicious creamy treat!
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This creamy and refreshing Strawberry Banana Smoothie is a delicious copycat of one you might get at Smoothie King, Jamba Juice, or even Tropical Smoothie Cafe - but with a high-protein twist you can make at home! Featuring frozen strawberries, banana, and a secret ingredient that adds creaminess and protein, it's the perfect way to sip Summer vibes any time of year.
Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, a post-workout pick-me-up, or just a sweet afternoon treat, this strawberry banana smoothie delivers big flavor with wholesome ingredients - no protein powder or supplements in sight! It's naturally sweetened, packed with fruit, and has a protein boost thanks to - wait for it - cottage cheese! Yes, don't make that face. Trust me.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Creamy - The combo of banana, strawberries, and cottage cheese makes for an ultra-smooth texture.
- Protein-Packed - Each smoothie has 13 grams of protein without any powders or supplements.
- Easy - Just toss the simple ingredients into the blender and go.
- Year-Round - Frozen strawberries make this smoothie summer-ready, even in winter.
- Customizable - Swap the milk or fruit, even add some veggies, to make it your own.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The photo below shows all of my strawberry banana smoothie ingredients. Let's go over them and how you can switch things up if needed.
- Milk - Use dairy milk for more protein or swap with oat, almond, or soy milk.
- Banana - A ripe banana adds sweetness and creaminess. Use frozen banana for a thicker texture.
- Frozen Strawberries - Essential for chill, thickness, and berry flavor. You can substitute with other frozen fruit or berries, or fresh strawberries plus ice to get the right consistency.
- Cottage Cheese - Small curd cottage cheese makes this smoothie creamy and protein-rich. Greek yogurt is a great substitute.
- Honey - Optional, depending on how much sweet flavor you want. Maple syrup or agave nectar work well too.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Variations
This strawberry smoothie recipe is just the beginning. I think it's essential to know how to make a basic smoothie with ingredients everyone knows and enjoys. After that it's up to you. You can add veggies, chia seeds or flaxseeds, oats, or even (yuck) protein powder. It's your blender, make your blend. Here are a few easy ways that we like to switch things up:
- Tropical Twist - Add frozen pineapple or mango for a vacation-in-a-glass feel. Gives 'Paradise Point' from Tropical Smoothie Cafe vibes.
- Green Boost - Toss in a handful of baby spinach or kale for a sneaky veggie addition like in the Jamba Juice 'Strawberry Whirl'.
- Chocolate Strawberry - Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder and some espresso for a strawberry-infused Smoothie King "Gladiator Chocolate" moment.
- PB&J Vibes - Blend in a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter for a nutty flavor and extra protein. This is The Boy's favorite! (my husband)
- Berry Medley - Use a frozen berry blend instead of strawberries for a deeper berry flavor. This one is my choice all WInter long.
Cynthia's Recipe Review
I've always loved Smoothie King's strawberry banana smoothie, but I wanted to create a version that gives you the same fruity flavor with a little more staying power. The cottage cheese might sound unusual, but trust me-it blends in perfectly and gives this smoothie a luscious, creamy texture while adding a solid protein boost. It's been my go-to lately, especially when I work long days and need a filling treat!
Blenders
We aren't trying to blend anything too difficult here, so an affordable starter blender, like the Black and Decker blender I used to have, will work fine. I have since upgraded to a high-powered Vitamix blender and I love how absolutely smooth my smoothie is, but you probably aren't as picky as me 🤪
You can also make individual smoothies using a personal sized or portable blender. If you choose to do that you'll want to decrease this recipe into half or fourths, depending on its size, and make sure to break up your ingredients into smaller bits.
Quick Recipe Video
Step-by-Step Instructions
You'll love how simple this is. Just follow along and you'll be sipping in seconds!
Step 1: Add the milk to your blender first, followed by the cottage cheese. Placing the liquids at the bottom helps everything blend smoothly without sticking.
Step 2: Drizzle in the honey.
Step 3: Peel and break the banana into chunks, then add it to the blender. Dump in the entire bag of frozen strawberries. Place the lid on tightly.
Step 4: Pulse the blender 2-3 times to break things up. Then blend on high until everything is smooth and creamy, about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
Finish: Pour into two glasses and garnish with a dollop of more cottage cheese, or Greek yogurt, if you want even more protein, and enjoy right away while it's icy cold!
Cynthia's Helpful Tips
- Cold Is Key - Using frozen strawberries ensures a thick, chilled smoothie without watering it down, and it means you can make these strawberry smoothies all year round!
- Smooth Blend - Add liquids to the blender first for better blade movement.
- No Cottage Cheese? - Sub in Greek yogurt for a similar protein boost and texture.
- Sweetness Levels - Start with 1 tablespoon of honey and taste before adding more.
- Make Ahead - Blend everything and freeze in silicone molds. Pop into the blender with a splash of milk for a fast smoothie later.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but add ½ to 1 cup of ice to keep it cold and thick.
Any milk works! Whole milk gives the creamiest result, but plant-based milks like oat or soy are great too. Use whatever milk that you prefer.
Not at all! It blends in completely and just adds creaminess and protein.
Yes. You can swap the cottage cheese for plant-based yogurt.
Absolutely. Like I said, it's your blender, make your blend. If you are comfortable using protein powders or supplements, do what you do.
Did you try this recipe?
Please consider leaving a comment with a ⭐️ rating below and tell me all about it! It helps me to continue to improve my content and lets others know what you think!
I appreciate it so much!
-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Smoothie Shop Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole milk or your preferred dairy or plant based milk
- 1 banana
- 10 ounce frozen strawberries 1 small bag
- 4 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon honey or to taste
Instructions
- Add milk and cottage cheese to the blender. Drizzle in honey.
- Peel and break the banana into chunks, then add to blender.
- Add frozen strawberries.
- Pulse a few times to break up large chunks.
- Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds or until completely smooth.
- Pour into two glasses, add a dollop of cottage cheese or Greek yogurt to the top, and serve immediately.
Save This Recipe! 💌
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Cynthia Christensen says
I am new to the smoothie world, the texture used to bother me, but man is this amazing! Gonna make this all the time!